No one knows races better than the people who run them—you. So back in July 2008, Runner's World launched an online survey asking our readers to evaluate marathons they'd just completed. For a year, thousands of you logged on and answered questions about everything from the ease of the registration process to the amenities at the finish line. Were there enough buses? Were the aid stations well-stocked? Was the course fast or scenic? You weighed in on all the details, big and small, that can make or break the marathon experience. By July 2009, you had assessed 316 different marathons—and uncovered a few amazing under-the-radar races. Which races did you love? Read on to find out.

No matter how much you've heard about the entertainment and crowd support at the NYC Marathon, you can't grasp its power until you've run it. The survey's write-in section was filled with exclamations of "Fantastic!" and "Amazing!" Even a local who'd watched the race for years was blown away. "The energy carried me the entire distance and I never hit the wall," says David Brenner, who spectated for 31 years before finally joining the pack. Indeed, the 40,000 participants don't just see and hear the 2 million people lining the course, they feel them. Sometimes, literally. "In the Bronx and Harlem, they're high-fiving you," says Levi Query of Portland, Oregon. Such fan involvement combined with 100 bands and the inspiring presence of the city itself—the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Manhattan's skyscrapers, Central Park—prompted many runners to pull off their headphones. After all, who needs distraction when all of Gotham is at your feet? nycmarathon.org

READER TIP: Take the ferry instead of the bus to the start on Staten Island for incredible views of the Statue of Liberty.

RUNNER UP: Pikes Peak MarathonManitou Springs, Colorado, August 22Initially, we were puzzled: Pike's Peak? What's enjoyable about climbing an 11-percent grade for 13 miles, then coming back down? But readers insist that a great social vibe makes the challenge fun. Interaction is integral on the 14,115-foot mountain's trail. Runners talk when they pass each other, extend a hand when someone trips, and exchange knowing nods at scraped knees. At the finish, runners swap stories over beers. "The camaraderie is a big part of the fun," says Erin Fuselier, of St. Louis, one of 800 who ran it last year. pikespeakmarathon.orgMOST ORGANIZED: St. George MarathonSt. George, Utah, October 2

Efficiency reigns at St. George. "Parking was easy. Packet pickup fast. Plenty of buses," wrote one reader. But what propelled St. George to the top of its class is the staff's dedication to good service. At the start, in the cold predawn hours at 5,200 feet, 70 mini-bonfires burn to keep the field of 7,200 warm. In 2008, when it rained on race morning, volunteers handed out garbage bags at the start. And at the finish, more than 50 certified massage therapists are on hand to soothe runners' sore muscles. Moreover, 92 percent of readers who rated St. George gave it top marks for the knowledge and friendliness of its volunteers. stgeorgemarathon.com

READER TIP: At mile 14, look left to see a 500-foot cinder cone, one of the volcanoes responsible for the region's lava rock.

RUNNER UP: Bataan Memorial Death MarchWhite Sands Missile Range, New Mexico March 21The Army puts on this race, so the fact that its organization got rave reviews is no surprise. Of the 5,000 participants who tackle the sand and hills of the course's high-desert terrain, just under half are active military in combat gear. Runners couldn't say enough about the unique experience and superior execution of this race, but what rang out loudest was this piece of advice: Run it now, while you can still shake hands with the WWII vets that the race honors. bataanmarch.com

Here's what made parents' jaws drop: a race-sponsored play area for kids and spouses with inflatable slides, temporary tattoos, and face-painting—all within sight of the start and finish line. "At other races, I end up with tired, fussy kids, but this was a lifesaver," says Kathy Harper of Dalton, Georgia, a spectating parent. Families can hop on the free shuttle that travels through Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park (see "Most Scenic," page 72), with six stops along the course. And the small field—500 runners in the full and 900 in the half—ensures your family will see you. The event also offers a Jr. Marathon. Kids run a mile at a time for a total of 25.2 miles leading up to the race, then complete the final mile on race morning. battlefieldmarathon.com

READER TIP: If you're finishing as the kids are running their mile race, enjoy trying to beat them—they inspire a finishing kick!

RUNNER UP: Shamrock MarathonVirginia Beach, Virginia, March 21This marathon, which attracts 4,000, has a 26.2-yard toddler "marathon," a mile race, and an 8-K. Thanks to runner tracking, spouses and kids can "spectate" from the beach and then join you for Irish stew and live music. shamrockmarathon.comBEST VALUE: Fargo MarathonFargo, North Dakota, May 22

Tiffany Ingersoll of Ankeny, Iowa, paid just $60 to run Fargo, less than half of what she's dished out for other marathons. But at Fargo, she and others say you don't get what you pay for—you get more. Organizers don't skimp on the standards, offering runners a technical tee, a medal, and a good-sized expo. Plus, they also offer perks you might not expect from a race that charges only $80 the week before race day: pace teams, guest speakers, and a full lineup of kids' races along with a 5-K run/walk. Most runners say that the wildly enthusiastic on-course support did the most to increase the race's value. Spectators are two deep for much of the race, and 52 entertainment acts provide inspiration and distraction along the mostly flat course. Even more value: Discounted hotel rates and airfare are offered via the Web site. fargomarathon.com

READER TIP: Refuel on lefse—a Scandinavian flatbread made from potatoes— handed out along the race route.

RUNNER UP: Akron MarathonAkron, Ohio September 25The $85 fee includes a technical hat, a Running Times subscription, and a Brooks running jacket or shoes. But readers say that Akron's best assets are the 120,000 spectators, 26 bands, and the hospitality of the "fantastic" and "second-to-none" volunteers that serve the 1,400 marathoners. akronmarathon.org

What makes Big Sur one of the most scenic marathons in the country also makes it a great destination race for its 4,500 participants: the spectacular California coast. Rugged mountains, wide ocean views, and the world-renowned Monterey Peninsula all make a few days seem like a week away. Runners wrote about the area's tasty restaurants, plentiful shopping, and California's cheeriness ("Even shuttle drivers were smiling at 4 a.m."). The headliner, though, was the course itself. It provides runners with a back-to-nature respite as it winds through redwoods and pastoral scenes before paralleling the coast. Sure, it's hilly and hard, but flying down the edge of California with piano music wafting over the ocean overrides the challenge. Strawberries at mile 23, bagpipes at 25, and hugs from residents also help. The crashing waves and craggy cliffs give runners a chance to rest their eyes—if not their legs. bsim.org

READER TIP: Don't wear yourself out going up to Hurricane Point (miles 10 to 12). There are still 13 more hills to go.

RUNNER UP: Lake Placid MarathonLake Placid, New York, June 13One mom sums it up best: "A race in the Adirondack Mountains in June is a no-brainer summer vacation." Families can swim, hike, and tour Olympic sites like the speed-skating oval where Eric Heiden won five gold medals in the 1980 Winter Games (and where the 500 marathoners finish). On race day, while Aubrey Blanda of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, enjoyed solo time among the deer and trees, her husband and kids canoed Mirror Lake near the village of Lake Placid. "It was a great way for all of us to see upstate New York," she says. lakeplacidmarathon.comSPEEDIEST: Wineglass MarathonCorning, New York, October 3

Like other courses with a fast reputation, Wineglass boasts a net elevation loss (200 feet). But what sets it apart, says Jay Margolis, who ran a 3:03 here in 2008, is that the descents aren't steep or long, so your legs stay fresh. For each of the last 11 years, temperatures have been below 50?F at the start. Readers also appreciated the lack of long lines and thick crowds (with only 1,200 marathoners, "you can find your stride within 30 seconds of the start"). Not convinced yet? Every runner who rated Wineglass had clocked a personal best. wineglassmarathon.com

READER TIP: Bike support is allowed, so have a friend pace you for a few miles and carry your favorite fuel.

RUNNER UP: Bay State MarathonLowell, Massachusetts, October 17Runners seeking a PR or Boston qualifying time will like Bay State's we're-here-to-race vibe. "A great race for the serious runner," says Jenny Gapinski, who ran a 3:29 BQ. The course is generally flat with just enough rolling character to ease physical and mental fatigue. Other "fast" attributes: no congestion (1,600 runners), temps in the 50s, pace groups, and the two-loop course. "You can break down the race mentally," says Steven Gerrard, who ran a 3:16. baystatemarathon.com

You know that moment in a race when you round a corner or crest a hill and the beauty of the scene catches your breath? Mount Desert dishes out that moment the entire race. "It all stood out, the whole thing," says Allison Henley from Oklahoma City, who chose the race because she was "looking for something special." She found it in the awe-inspiring point-to-point course that traverses the rugged, mountainous island. "Beautiful" and "gorgeous" were used often to describe the ocean views, the pink granite cliffs, and the rock-topped peaks. And thanks to the race director's carefully chosen date, the foliage of Acadia National Park also scored high with readers. mdimarathon.org

READER TIP: About 100 meters from the finish on the right is the Quietside Cafe. Go postrace for crab rolls and blueberry pie.

RUNNER UP: Chickamauga Battlefield MarathonFort Oglethorpe, Georgia, November 13Marathoners run the gentle hills of the nation's first military park, past grassy fields with monuments, cannons, and the silent presence of the 34,000 soldiers who fought here during the Civil War. Readers say the scene is calming and inspiring and that it carried them through to the finish. battlefieldmarathon.comBEST OVERALL: Missoula MarathonMissoula, Montana, July 11

Missoula? This race may not have the name recognition of marathons like New York City or Big Sur, but if our survey respondents have their way, it will. They say this event has everything going for it, from scenery and price ($85 max) to attention to detail. The point-to-point course takes the field of 2,300 (half, full, and relay) from the west to the heart of this university town, past mountains, the Clark Fork River, and forests. Runners appreciated starting temps in the low 50s, as well as a different starting area for half-marathoners, free public transportation the day before the race, and free finisher's photos at the postrace party. The town puts out a warm reception, with signs welcoming runners and residents cheering them on. There's a nice spread at the finish that includes pasta salad, watermelon, and frozen juice bars. Missoula also boasts green touches like cloth goody bags and shirts made from bamboo and recycled polyester. missoulamarathon.org

READER TIP: Soak your legs in the icy-cold waters of the Clark Fork River; the finish-line party is held on its banks.

RUNNER UP: Mount Desert IslandBar Harbor, Maine, October 17It's tempting to think the Mount Desert Island Marathon rode its scenic laurels into this category as well, but fact is, runners also ranked this 1,000-participant race high in overall value and organization. "Beautiful place, awesome race" was the sentiment expressed in numerous comments, along with thumbs up for the kind volunteers and plentiful food. Good news for those who wrote in saying they couldn't get in: Demand is so high that the race directors are adding a new relay division for 2010. mdimarathon.org

THE REST OF THE BESTMissoula and Mount Desert Island ranked highest. Here's the rest of readers' top 10.

How the big ones ranked18 TWIN CITIES, Minnesota23 NEW YORK CITY33 DISNEY, Florida38 MARINE CORPS, Washington, D.C.45 SAN DIEGO61 CHICAGO67 PHILADELPHIARUNNING THE NUMBERS7,980: number of runners who completed the runnersworld.com survey

383: number of days the survey ran on runnersworld.com

316: number of marathons that survey respondents rated

435: number of marathons held in the United States in 2008

65: percentage of the 7,980 readers who had run a marathon before

18: percentage of respondents who qualified for the Boston Marathon

27: percentage of respondents who live in the South (largest group)

7.8: percentage of respondents who live outside of the United States

1-5: the number of marathons 65% of respondents had run

21+: the number of marathons 5% of respondents had run

SHOUT OUTS

BOSTON: FOR ITS FANATICAL FOLLOWING"I will run Boston every year until I die." Brian Smith, New Palestine, Indiana

AND ITS CROWD SUPPORT"Boston is like a 26.2-mile rock concert." Alan Parmenter, New Port Richey, Florida